A normal day for Penn State alumna Judy Mosteller never lacks for drama, potentially high-stress moments and last-minute decisions. As a control room supervisor for QVC, the live shows she directs for the home-shopping channel every day are seen by millions of viewers.
As a surgical patient who received life-saving blood transfusions during surgeries, she’s also thankful for the gift of blood millions of people make every year.
“I’m in a unique position because I’ve been on all sides of the blood donating process,” said Mosteller, who earned her Penn State degree in broadcast-cable in 1993. “I was a repeat donor where I had the chance to save lives, and then needed the blood to save my life and I realized first-hand how important donation is.”
Mosteller, who has been with QVC since 1994, was was diagnosed with fibroids, which are non-cancerous growths on her uterus, after a routine annual checkup with her physician in 2005.
After trying nonsurgical options, doctors decided to do a hysterectomy in July 2006. Mosteller’s situation became more severe when doctors tried to move the growths away from her kidneys and the vein they were compressing. But, with every cut, Mosteller bled excessively -- eventually needing 19 units of blood before doctors decided she had lost too much blood and she was put into a medically induced coma for 24 hours.
A year later, Mosteller had another surgery to finish what was started and remove the remaining fibroids.
After her final surgery, Mosteller became a volunteer for the American Red Cross. In that role, she gets to thank donors who save lives every day. She also helps recruit donors to save lives in the future.
When she is not volunteering, Mosteller is probably traveling, something that is also plays a big role in her life. She has visited more than 30 states, including Alaska and Hawaii, and been to four of the seven continents.
Mosteller first started giving blood in high school and donated frequently throughout the years. Now, as a member of the Red Cross Speaker’s Bureau, she gives both her blood and her time.
“I think it helps when donors meet me to see that they really are making a difference in someone’s life,” Mosteller said. “And they’re making the biggest difference one could make ... saving lives like they did mine!”